Copying this over from the game thread and deleting the one in the game thread. In the future put long stuff like this in this thread so it doesnt bog down the roleplaying pages
OOC:
DM aws5000,
I have to respectfully, and very carefully, say that I think it is a very slippery slope to let skills checks start to override player agency.
Of course if there is magic, mind control, etc. - we understand that. Also if someone grapples you and throws you around by STR comparison, that's part of combat. Sometimes you are forced to do what you don't want.
But I think the realms of Intimidation, Persuasion, etc. are quite dangerous to be wielded as mechanisms to dictate player response and character mentality. In these sorts of things, I don't think a player's actions should be controlled by a skill check from an opponent, whether it is an NPC or a PC.
Extreme examples have their place to think about these things, not that they always happen, but they might illustrate the problem most obviously. What if a high level, high CHA Rogue took Expertise in Intimidation, say getting a +10 to Intimidation checks? He would certainly be a force to be reckoned with if he went around the party forcing everyone to cower and submit. Shit their pants even?! Whoa.
Maybe Stud and JW are seeing this as fun now, but I think it may be a careful moment because JW has said again and again how new he is on this. I would just say that if this is a trend and S.Stud wants to establish an option for using skill checks to demand specific responses from other PCs, I personally would not be happy having to submit to that if it came my way.
To sum it up then, I think it is at least a risky idea, to allow manipulation-related skill checks to be used on players.
So there is my 2 cents, only because you (I think) opened the door for it saying "if others are onboard."
But hey, man, again...I definitely want to approach you in the right manner. And I know there are other ways to look at this topic. I don't think it is a good habit to badger or argue with the DM, and definitely not in public. And I know the rules/mechanics are part of the game, but not the game itself. I really think this game is off to a great start and I appreciate all of your work on it - thanks for hearing me out.
Sincerely,
J
